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Kyly Clarke's 'fairytale' new romance blossoms at Bathurst 1000

Supercars driver James Courtney and Kyly Clarke are pictured on the grid prior to the 2020 Bathurst 1000.
Supercars driver James Courtney and Kyly Clarke took their burgeoning relationship public at last weekend's Bathurst 1000. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

Kyly Clarke and James Courtney all but took their burgeoning relationship public at last weekend’s Bathurst 1000.

Clarke, who split from husband and former Australian cricketer Michael Clarke in February this year after seven years of marriage, was spotted with Courtney over the course of the weekend.

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Courtney, whose own high-profile marriage of 17 years to former wife Carys broke down in 2017, has been friends with Kyly since the pair were children, as her brother Troy used to race karts at the same venue as the 2010 Supercars champion.

Kyly is no stranger to the world of motorsport, having long held an interest in it and even being crowned ‘Miss Indy 1999’ during the days of grid girls.

According to the Daily Telegraph, a source close to the new couple said although the relationship was still fresh, all signs were positive so far.

“It is early days but they are very happy,” the unnamed source said.

“Kyly loves motorsports, it is something she has been passionate about since childhood.

“They just clicked when they reconnected and everything is going well.

“It is like a fairytale because they were together all those years ago so it has come full circle.”

It was a relatively successful outing for Courtney and co-driver Broq Feeney, who brought their Ford Mustang home in 10th place after starting the race eighth on the grid.

Shane van Gisbergen claims historic Bathurst 1000 victory

A Holden Commodore has conquered Mount Panorama for the final time with Shane van Gisbergen securing a memorable Supercars victory in the red lion's Bathurst 1000 farewell.

In teaming up with, now four-times winner Garth Tander, van Gisbergen claimed the 161-lap enduro for the first time on Sunday.

The Red Bull champion held off numerous fierce passing attempts from Ford's Cameron Waters, who started the great race in pole position.

Not even two safety cars being called in the final nine laps could derail van Gisbergen's charge towards glory.

Garth Tander and Shane Van Gisbergen are pictured after winning the 2020 Bathurst 1000.
Garth Tander and Shane Van Gisbergen celebrate after winning the 2020 Bathurst 1000. (Photo by Handout/Mark Horsburgh/Edge Photographics via Getty Images)

It prompted van Gisbergen's boss Roland Dane to label him the "most intelligent racing driver".

The New Zealander's previous best result at Bathurst was second in 2016 and 2019, while veteran Tander had already tasted the ultimate success in 2000, 2009 and 2011.

It was van Gisbergen's 40th Supercars career win and the 34th time a Holden car has won at Mount Panorama.

Tander joins Allan Moffat, Greg Murphy and Jamie Whincup as a four-time winner.

Chaz Mostert, who won a dramatic Bathurst 1000 in 2014 driving a Ford, ensured four Holden drivers stood on the podium by coming third - with co-driver Warren Luff.

The result means Commodores have won five of the past six Bathurst 1000s, with only Scott McLaughlin (2019) saluting for Ford since 2015.

It is Holden's last Supercars race in an official capacity before it is retired by General Motors at the end of this year.

With AAP